Morocco's flood-ravaged north hit by minor earthquakes amid ongoing crisis

2026-02-08 - 09:45

Northern Morocco was shaken by two minor earthquakes on Saturday, compounding an already severe humanitarian crisis caused by prolonged flooding that has submerged villages and displaced tens of thousands. The seismic activity occurred as military and emergency teams continued relief operations in isolated, waterlocked communities. Details of the Seismic Activity According to Nasser Jabour, director of Morocco’s National Institute of Geophysics, the first tremor registered a magnitude of 3.8 near Arbaa Taourirt in Al Hoceima province. A second, weaker quake measuring 2.8 was later recorded in the Tilouguite area of Azilal province. Officials confirmed that both events, along with dozens of minor aftershocks, resulted in no casualties or material damage. Ongoing Flood Disaster and Response The earthquakes struck a region already overwhelmed by exceptional rainfall that began in late January. Severe flooding has cut off roads and encircled entire towns, particularly in the provinces of Larache, Kenitra, Sidi Kacem, and Sidi Slimane. The Loukkos River overflowed after the Al-Wahda dam reached 156% of its capacity. The Moroccan Interior Ministry reported that over 154,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas in the past ten days. Military Delivers Aid to Isolated Villages With several rural communities remaining inaccessible, the Royal Armed Forces have been deployed to deliver essential supplies. Towns like Oulad Hussein and Al-Hawafat are surrounded by floodwaters, requiring aid drops of food, blankets, and medicine. Security forces have restricted civilian movement near flooded zones to prevent risky crossing attempts. The disaster has prompted a high state of alert, influenced by deadly floods that struck the city of Safi in December 2025.